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The Western Cape has reported 599 road deaths so far in 2013. While the province continues to record a downward trend in road deaths a mid-year review shows the decrease as its least when compared to previous years.

According to the Western Cape Department of Transport: “In 2013, road deaths have only decreased by one percent from the first six months of 2012. Cumulatively over the past 12 months, deaths have decreased by 28% (from 1739 in January 2009 to 1250 for the past 12 months), a slight setback from the 30% reduction achieved in February 2013."

INCREASE IN DRUNK DRIVERS

Earlier in 2013 Wheels24 reported that transport and public works MEC Robin Carlise called for the “Name and Shame” campaign to be re-introduced. Carlise said the campaign saw 'driving under the influence of alcolhol' (DUI) arrests decrease from an average of 60 per weekend to 25, a situation he believed was now being reversed.

Carlise said: "Our fatality statistics show that a large percentage of road deaths in the province occur during weekends when the deadly effects of alcohol are clearly felt.

“There can be no doubt that the absence of breathalysers and the removal of our right to name-and-shame are substantially increasing the number of drunken drivers on the road and the road deaths are rising with them.”

50% DEAD PEOPLE WALKING

March saw the loss in total of 132 lives on Cape roads, the most for any month yet in 2013. Pedestrians made up 50% those in April and May 2013 - 113. The name-and-shame campaign certainly helps to curb drivers but what's being done to stop pedestrians being killed on our roads?

Looking at April and May figures, pedestrians made up 50% of all road deaths during those months. Not to belittle a tragedy, but in comparison five cyclists were killed during the same period.

According to the department, the number of deaths per 100 000 of the population in the Western Cape (population averaging at 5.3-million 2008-12) has gone down from 33.05 in 2008 to 23.80 currently. Carlisle said pedestrians made up most of the dead, followed numerically by vehicle occupants.

“We will soon be launching an extensive multimedia campaign focusing on seat-belt and restraint awareness. Just buckling-up would reduce the number of driver and passenger deaths dramatically.”

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